Behind the scenes at the Accessible Book & Story Festival: Part 1

(Or…what Ailie has been doing this summer)

This summer I’ve been walking in the rain…sometimes with our slow old dog…cat-sitting, holidaying in Fife (and swimming in the tidal pools)…

…and telling sensory stories (in libraries, holiday clubs, respite centres and at book festivals).

But mostly what I have been doing is planning, organising, discussing, making lists for, Zooming, fretting over, dreaming and thinking about (a lot!) the Accessible Book and Story Festival. (For ticket information and the full programme go here.)

There are two things that I want the festival to achieve. The first of these is that it becomes a celebration of sensory storytelling.

Part of my job is working as a travelling sensory storyteller for children and adults with additional needs. As I go in and out of schools, libraries and care settings I see that in so many places amazing, creative sensory storytelling is happening. It is happening in all different kinds of ways: sometimes quietly in a corner, sometimes loudly with gales of laughter. One to one or in big groups. With children, adults and older people. It is happening with handmade props, with props from the beach or the forest, from the cupboard under the stairs or the aisles of Poundland. Props that light up or smell or crinkle or stretch… fairy tales, myths, chapter books, scientific facts and nonsense poems are all being turned into sensory stories.

Parents, teachers, care workers and many others are out there hunting for just the right prop, puzzling over how to ‘translate’ a text into sensory experiences, thinking about how to make the story fun for one particular child, feeling the pleasure from a sensory story that ‘just works’…But to a large extent this is all invisible to the outside world.

I want the Accessible Book and Story Festival to bring these people together to celebrate our achievements, to share our ideas and to take some time to be re-inspired after all the sensory storytelling work.

I hope as well that by doing this the important sensory storytelling work that is happening will become more visible – to the cultural sector, children’s publishers, funders, local and national government…everyone!

If you tell sensory stories (or would like to) please do come along to the Storytelling Centre on the 13th and 14th of September. As well as sharing practice events we have skills workshops led by Oily Cart, Nicola Grove, Pamis and many others. We look forward to seeing you there!

If you know someone who would appreciate some sensory story inspiration (or re-inspiration) please tell them about the festival.

If ticket price is an issue or you have any questions about the festival please email me: ailie@mykindofbook.org.uk

Coming soon: the second thing I want the Accessible Book and Story Festival to achieve!